EXIF Data by Camera Brand
All cameras record the same standard EXIF tags — aperture, shutter speed, ISO. But each manufacturer also writes its own proprietary data into a section called the MakerNote, and they all do it differently. Below is the exact field name to look for in Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, and Apple photos, and what each one reveals.
| Brand | Make value in EXIF | Raw format | Signature proprietary fields |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon | Canon | CR2 (older DSLRs), CR3 (EOS R system and newer DSLRs) | CanonModelID, OwnerName, lens serial numbers |
| Nikon | NIKON CORPORATION | NEF (Nikon Electronic Format), NRW (Coolpix raw) | ShutterCount, Active D-Lighting, VR mode |
| Sony | SONY | ARW (Alpha Raw) | CreativeStyle, LensID, internal model code |
| Fujifilm | FUJIFILM | RAF (Fujifilm Raw Format) | FilmMode, DynamicRange, GrainEffect |
| Apple (iPhone) | Apple | DNG (Apple ProRAW, iPhone Pro models only) | AccelerationVector, ContentIdentifier, BurstUUID |
The Make string is your fastest brand fingerprint — note that Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm write it in all caps, while Canon and Apple use mixed case.
Canon EXIF Fields
Canon writes the owner name you set in the camera and a full lens serial number — both can identify you across photos.
| MakerNote field | What it records | Example value |
|---|---|---|
| CanonModelID | Numeric identifier for the camera model | 0x80000424 |
| ContinuousDrive | Continuous shooting mode setting | Single |
| FocusMode | Autofocus mode used | One-Shot AF |
| RecordMode | Image quality/recording setting | JPEG Large Fine |
| CanonImageSize | Image size setting | Large |
| EasyMode | Scene mode when using Auto modes | Manual |
| DigitalZoom | Digital zoom factor applied | None |
| OwnerName | Owner name set in camera | John Smith |
Common Canon bodies you will see these fields in include EOS R5, EOS R6 Mark II, EOS R3, and EOS R8. See the full Canon EXIF guide for standard fields, raw-format notes, and privacy tips.
Nikon EXIF Fields
Nikon is the brand that records total ShutterCount in EXIF — the number used to judge wear when buying a used body.
| MakerNote field | What it records | Example value |
|---|---|---|
| AFAreaMode | Autofocus area mode | Single Area |
| AFPoint | Which AF point was active | Center |
| ActiveD-Lighting | Dynamic range optimization setting | Normal |
| HighISONoiseReduction | In-camera noise reduction level | Normal |
| VignetteControl | Lens vignette correction setting | Normal |
| VRMode | Vibration Reduction (image stabilization) mode | Normal |
| ShutterCount | Total shutter actuations on the camera | 45230 |
| ImageAuthentication | Nikon image authentication status | Off |
Common Nikon bodies you will see these fields in include Z 8, Z 9, Z 6III, and Z 5. See the full Nikon EXIF guide for standard fields, raw-format notes, and privacy tips.
Sony EXIF Fields
Sony stores an internal model code (ILCE-7RM5, not 'A7R V') and a numeric LensID that can name even third-party glass.
| MakerNote field | What it records | Example value |
|---|---|---|
| CreativeStyle | Picture profile or creative style | Standard |
| ColorTemperature | White balance color temperature in Kelvin | 5500 |
| DynamicRangeOptimizer | DRO setting for shadow recovery | Auto |
| FocusMode2 | Detailed AF mode | AF-C |
| AFAreaModeSetting | AF area selection mode | Wide |
| FlexibleSpotPosition | Position of flexible spot AF point | 960 640 |
| SonyImageHeight | Actual image height in pixels | 6336 |
| Quality2 | Image quality setting with details | RAW + JPEG Fine |
Common Sony bodies you will see these fields in include A7R V, A7 IV, A7C II, and A9 III. See the full Sony EXIF guide for standard fields, raw-format notes, and privacy tips.
Fujifilm EXIF Fields
Fujifilm records which film simulation (Velvia, Acros, Classic Neg) and grain effect were baked into the JPEG.
| MakerNote field | What it records | Example value |
|---|---|---|
| FilmMode | Film simulation mode applied | Velvia/Vivid |
| DynamicRange | Dynamic range expansion setting | DR200 |
| WhiteBalanceFineTune | Fine WB adjustment on Red-Blue/Green-Magenta axes | R+2, B-1 |
| NoiseReduction | In-camera noise reduction level | 0 (Normal) |
| Clarity | Clarity/texture adjustment | +2 |
| GrainEffect | Film grain simulation setting | Strong, Large |
| ColorChromeFX Blue | Blue color enhancement effect | Strong |
| RatingDevelopment | In-camera rating status | 3 Stars |
Common Fujifilm bodies you will see these fields in include X-T5, X-H2S, X-H2, and X100VI. See the full Fujifilm EXIF guide for standard fields, raw-format notes, and privacy tips.
Apple (iPhone) EXIF Fields
iPhones embed the device tilt at capture plus identifiers that link Live Photos and burst frames together.
| MakerNote field | What it records | Example value |
|---|---|---|
| AccelerationVector | Device orientation/tilt at capture | -0.954, -0.078, -0.215 |
| HDRImageType | Type of HDR processing applied | HDR Image |
| BurstUUID | Unique identifier linking photos in a burst | A1B2C3D4-E5F6-... |
| ContentIdentifier | Unique content ID for Live Photo video pairing | 12345ABC-DEF6-... |
| ImageUniqueID | Unique identifier for the image | a1b2c3d4e5f6 |
| RunTime | Time since device boot when photo was taken | 123456789000000 |
| LivePhotoVideoIndex | Frame index in Live Photo | 0 |
Common Apple (iPhone) bodies you will see these fields in include iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15, and iPhone 14 Pro. See the full Apple (iPhone) EXIF guide for standard fields, raw-format notes, and privacy tips.
Why Each Brand Stores EXIF Differently
The EXIF standard reserves one tag — MakerNote — for manufacturer-defined data and says nothing about what goes inside it. Each company invented its own private structure, so the same physical setting can surface under completely different field names: Sony calls its color profile CreativeStyle, Fujifilm calls it FilmMode, Nikon splits picture rendering across Active D-Lighting and Picture Control parameters.
Because the format is private, MakerNote data is also fragile. Crop a photo in an editor that does not understand a brand's layout and the whole MakerNote block can be dropped, which is why a re-saved file often loses the lens ID or shutter count that was in the original. A free online EXIF viewer that knows each brand's structure is the only reliable way to read these tags back.
The standard fields — Make, Model, LensModel, exposure, and GPS — are shared across every brand and survive editing far more often. Start there to identify a camera, then dig into the MakerNote for the brand-specific detail covered in our per-brand camera EXIF guides.
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Try the Photo Metadata ViewerRelated Guides
All Camera Brands
Per-brand EXIF guides — standard fields, raw formats, and MakerNote data for every manufacturer.
Camera Settings in EXIF
What aperture, ISO, shutter speed, and focal length look like in the standard EXIF fields every brand shares.
What Is EXIF Data?
The full reference for photo metadata — what it is, how it is written, and every common field explained.
Full EXIF Viewer
Open any photo to see every tag in the file, including brand-specific MakerNote data.
Canon Camera Metadata
Reading CR2 and CR3 files, the Canon MakerNote, and the best tools for Canon EXIF data.
Nikon Camera Metadata
NEF files, Picture Control, Active D-Lighting, and how to read a Nikon shutter count.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a MakerNote in EXIF data?
MakerNote is a single EXIF tag set aside for manufacturer-defined data. The EXIF standard does not specify its contents, so each brand fills it with its own private structure of fields — focus mode, lens IDs, shutter count, film simulation, and more. Reading it requires software that understands that specific brand's layout.
What EXIF fields are unique to Canon?
Canon's MakerNote includes CanonModelID (a numeric model identifier), OwnerName (the name set in the camera menu), ContinuousDrive, FocusMode, and lens serial numbers. The owner name and lens serial can both identify you across photos, so check them before sharing.
Where does Sony store EXIF metadata, and why is the model a code?
Sony writes its proprietary data into the MakerNote under fields like CreativeStyle, DynamicRangeOptimizer, and LensID. The Model field shows an internal code such as ILCE-7RM5 rather than the marketing name A7R V — ILCE stands for Interchangeable Lens Camera with E-mount.
How do I find which film simulation a Fujifilm photo used?
Look for the FilmMode field in the Fujifilm MakerNote. Values include Provia/Standard, Velvia/Vivid, Classic Chrome, Classic Neg, Acros, and Eterna. Related fields like GrainEffect and DynamicRange(DR100, DR200, DR400) show the rest of Fujifilm's in-camera look.
Can two camera brands store the same setting under different field names?
Yes — that is the main reason brand-specific guides exist. A color profile is CreativeStyle on Sony, FilmMode on Fujifilm, PhotoStyle on Panasonic, and PictureMode on Olympus. The standard EXIF fields (Make, Model, exposure, GPS) are the same everywhere; only the MakerNote diverges.